Device for preventing theft and unauthorized use of power vehicles



Aug. 12, 1930. J, c om 1,772,747

DEVICE F68 PREVENTING THEFT AND UNAUTHORIZED USE OF POWER VEHICLES Filed Juno 3. 1925 2 Shuts-Shut '1 )NVENTDB a win (raxi Aug. 12, 1930:

J CRONING DEVICE FOR PREVENTING THEFT AND UNAUTHORIZED USE OF POWER VEHICLES Filed June 1925 2 Shoots-Shoat 2 INVENTOR Jol/ma/Nzs CE ONl/VG ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 12, 1930 v UNITED s'rA'rss PATENT our-Ice .ronalmns ononme, or namnune, GERMANY, assienon, BY unsnn amennnms,

ro cnown noox oomrm, a conronarron or nnnnwmn mavmn non rnnvnn'rmemrrnr'r AND unau'rnonrznn usE or rowan. vnnrcnns Application fled June a, 1m, sem1 m).

This invention has for its object to render the theft and unauthorized use of power vehicles impossible. The devices hitherto used for this purpose are not sufiiciently satifactory or too inconvenient, and under certam conditions may become dangerous when 0perated erroneously. Hitherto either the igni tion circuit was broken,.this however was not.

very suitable by reason of the simpleness of the keys which could easily be replaced by other means, or the steering column was locked, but the devices for this purpose were again mostly inconvenient and were not often secure. To use both of these devices again movement of the steering column, so that the operation of these two parts may be interdependently controlled by a single device. Thus, for instance, the arrangement permits the breaking of the ignition circuit and locking of the steering post by the use of the same device, to guard doubly against unv authorized use of the vehicle; and also prevents'the careless starting of the vehicle with the steering post locked. As to the drawings, the recesses on either side of the locking cylinder i are not occupied by pins projecting from that cylinder when the key is inserted, so the cross-hatched portion does not interfere with the removal of that cylinder. In this manner the starting of the motor by an unauthorized person is impossible as the safety device is secured by a lock'which can only be opened by a complicated key, which can be varied so that each key will operate successfully on only the one look for which it is made.

In the accompanying drawing is shown by way of example one form of construction according to the'invention.

34,853, and in Germany October 85, 1924.

Figure 1 shows a section of the locked steering rod. (Figure 2 is a section of the unlocked steerro I Figures 3, 4 and 5 show in more detail the preferred form of locking mechanism ofthe locking cylinder, Figures 3 and 4 showing such mechanism with the key inserted so that the pins are wholly within the cylinder which is thus withdrawable, and Figure 5 showing the mechanism with the key withdrawn so that the pins project and are engageable to prevent the removal of the cylinder. The

mechanism thus shown consists of pins movable in alined holes in the cylinder, each pin having an integral portion projecting laterally and extended overthe keyway so as to be movable in the one direction by the key,

in a column 0, the steering post bein pro-' vided with openings e. The switch f or the ignition circuit is also contained in the lock casing 6. Towards the side, from which the device is to be used, the casing b is in the form of a hollow cylinder. and is closed by a rotary cylinder 9 which is retained in the casingb by a spring ring "it. On one side this cylinder is hollow for the reception of the locking cylinder 2', whilst the other side is closed and only carries for example the handle in for turning the c linder g. The locking cylinder 71 is provide on its inner end with a in m.

The application of the devlce is as follows: If the steering post 03 is to be locked the cylinder gis rotated in such a manner that the hollow 0 linder for the reception of the locking cylin er 71 is in front of the steering post d. The locking cylinder 2' is then inserted and looks, when the key is withdrawn, the steering post (i by means of its'pin m which en ages with one of thelholes e. Even if the river were in possession of a second locking cylinder it is not possible for him, as would be likely to occur in a hur to close the-ignition circuit as the switch is covered. If the vehicle is to be used, the key is inserted into the locking cylinder i and the lock can then be readily withdrawn. If the cylinder is now turned in front of the switch 7 the locking cylinder 2' inserted and the key withdrawn, the locking circuit is closed and the steering post is free to be turned, In this position 1t is then also impossible, after the ignition circuit has been closed, to accidentally lock the steering column b.

It will be noted that since the lockin cylinder 1' carries pins pressed by springs beyond its surface when the key is withdrawn but wholly within the circumference of the locking cylinder when the proper key is in the keyway thereof, it can be inserted into or withdrawn from the hollow cylinders provided for its reception only with the assistance of the proper key, and since the same locking cylinder is used both to lock or free the steering wheel and to close or open the ignition circuit, the driver is protected not only against unauthorized use of the vehicle by others, but also against accidents resulting from his own inadvertence.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim 1s:

1. A device for protection against unauthorized use of power vehicles comprising a casing provided with openings communicating respectively with the steering post and a switch on the ignition circuit, and a removable locking cylinder carrying means to lock the steering post or close the circuit by insertion in the respective openingsaforesaid and carr ing also pins movable by the roper key who ly within the circumference o the cylinder and spring-pressed to project when the key is withdrawn beyond the circumference of the cylinder to lock the cylinder against withdrawal.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the casing comprises means whereby one of the openings is closed when the other is occupied by part of the lockin cylinder.

11 testimony whereof I- ave aflixed my signature.

J OHANNES CRONING. 

